Gardens Founded in 2001 - Home in 2002

Echinacea - Photo by Laura Davis

The garden began in 2001 with the help of Norm Erickson, a Northland Hospice volunteer, at the corner of Switzer Canyon Drive and Turquoise. At that time the home had not been completed but a beautiful sign was placed on the corner. Norm continued to work on the beds on the east side of the sidewalk along Switzer Canyon Drive and in front of the home, until 2008. The rest of the gardens were developed by a core of Coconino County Master Gardeners initially led by Laura Davis and since 2007 by Loni Shapiro.

The garden crew is active from April-October and sometimes in November weather permitting. Work happens weekly throughout the garden season on Monday and Thursday mornings from 8:00 am-12:00 pm. It also is scheduled for one Saturday a month from April through October. Cancellations due to weather will be posted by 6:00 am of the workday on this blog. You must attend a spring orientation to the garden and Northland Hospice & Palliative Care in order to work. A summary of the work that has been done is included on the blog. Look for weekly postings on this blog during the garden season.
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Volunteering in the Garden

2015 Calendar

April 13, 11:30-1:30 Lunch and orientation for new volunteers at hospice and TB testing for all

April 16, 9:15-10 TB tests read and 10:00 garden orientation. First Thursday workday 9-12

April 20, First Monday workday 9-12

May 2, Saturday workday 9-12

If you are interested in volunteering, please email CrysWells@gmail.com.

Please note: TB testing is required annually for all garden volunteers.

If you have current TB results that were done by a physician or at a hospital, these may be submitted to Northland Hospice.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, please contact the volunteer coordinator Kathy Simmons (ksimmons@northlandhospice.org) to schedule a time for testing and orientation.

Friday, September 6, 2013

Workdays the Week of Sept. 2

Because Monday was a holiday the only two who worked were Becky Lewis and me. We had to make another round of looking at roses and it was a good day with few distractions. I watered a few pots and new plantings as we have not had rain for several days, and Becky did some deadheading.The irrigation was turned back on.

Thursday was an especially busy day at the garden. The tree purchased for me by the volunteers was looking a bit stressed. The root was bound tightly and it was not holding water even when watered daily, so we began to look for a place to get it planted. The first area tried was the Rose Garden. Rebecca Davis and Jeanette Sletten began digging in the only spot available and soon discovered we were over a main irrigation line that goes through the middle of the garden. Joe Harte and Carol Lease repaired the lines which were leaking from work last week removing iris. We began work on the 2nd option, between the 2 apple trees south of the gazebo. This required Joe and Rebecca digging out a large lilac that has not been thriving. It will be moved elsewhere.



After much work the tree was planted while all gathered around to watch. The area was a good choice. It fills in a blank spot where the lilac sheltered the view from north and south. The tree is an Amur Maple which will have good fall color once established.

Jeanette cleaned up the area in the Rose Garden and removed some more iris. Yellow iris were planted after the area was thinned and cleaned.  Carol worked on plant labels and irrigation repairs. Becky Lewis worked on moving a rose in the garden. Whitney Fessler filled bird feeders and made some hummingbird food. Carol Hudenko and Lori Tamblingson continued work on weeding on the corner and planted some seed for next year. It is mostly bunch grasses (blue grama and sheep fescue) with some added perennial wildflowers. Marilynn VonWaggoner watered some of the pots since we haven't had rain in 3 days. Betty Marcus came and deadheaded and swept up debris from the tree planting.

We cut our workday short and headed up to Joe Harte's garden to see what he does in his spare time. His property is up on a hill and required much work to get raised beds established. We ooed and ahhed about all the wonderful vegetables and his prize winning sweet peas. He has a large pumpkin patch with most of the pumpkins marked by the neighborhood kids. Great idea!

On Thursday evening many of us gathered at the Woodland's Hotel for the annual volunteer recognition. This one was very special - 30th Anniversary of Northland Hospice. Marilyn Pate was present along with many old friends. We all enjoyed a great dinner, speeches, raffles, and gifts to take home. Thanks to Diana Watt and staff for a wonderful evening!

Next week will be interesting with the city's road work reaching our area. There will be no parking at the house for anyone due to construction. All must park at the church next week - including me and Joe. Along with Russ Anderson, I talked to the work crew chief and city coordinator. Russ and I tried to talk them into moving the cut in to the property to just south of the driveway. We may lose some juniper - what a shame - but the other option goes through many other shubs and plants. We will hear their decision on Friday. If they choose the latter we will need to dig up 2 shubs and some plants on Monday. I would appreciate help if I can get it.

Update:
The city work crew decided on an entry through the middle of the Inferno Strip to avoid cutting into the sidewalk. The area has 1 large shrub and several small ones, but many of the other plantings can easily be replaced from other parts of the garden. We tried to work yesterday to remove the shrubs but the rain was too heavy most of the day. We will try again on Monday morning for anyone who wants to join us.


Area on Inferno for cut in (cinquefoil, lavendar, sage and some grasses and snow in summer.

Upcoming:
Fall Harvest Potluck - Sept. 19, 12pm in the garden (details to follow)
Girls for Good - clean-up workday - October 26, 9am-12pm
Last workday - who knows?

Thanks,
Loni

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